2008 Woodie Awards
Hockey splits series against Michigan Tech
Team suffers first loss of 2005, ending unbeaten streak
Brooks Kirchheimer
Issue date: 1/11/05 Section: Sports
It was definitely not a weekend that the University of Denver hockey team wants to remember, as the Pioneers lost to Michigan Tech 3-0 on Friday and followed it up with a 1-0 win on Saturday.
After coming off New Year's weekend, where the team combined to score 13 goals, its offense came to a sudden standstill and Michigan Tech's goaltender Cam Ellsworth put forth quite a performance.
"We were outplayed in every aspect of the game and we flat came out and layed an egg tonight," senior defenseman Matt Laatsch said of Friday's defeat.
The Pioneers did not show much effort and it led to two second period goals for the Huskies and then later a third period netter to put the game away.
"I am not upset when we lose. The thing I am most disappointed in is our effort," said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.
After the loss on Friday, Denver followed it up with a much better performance on Saturday and came away with a win.
"Michigan Tech is a very good team, but tonight we came out and got the win and didn't want to lose two games in a row," stated freshman goaltender Peter Mannino, who got his second straight shutout Saturday night.
The Pioneers received a first period and career goal from freshman Andrew Thomas, which ended up being the game winner.
Denver will now have its final bye week of the season and next play Jan. 20 and 21st at St. Cloud State.
For the fifth time this season the Pioneers lost on Friday and followed it up with a win on Saturday. The loss snapped the nine-game unbeaten streak the team had going.
The shutout by the Huskies on Friday was their first over Denver since 1979.
"This series was a very valuable reminder of how hard you have to play in the WCHA, and how you can't take anything for granted," remarked Gwozdecky.
The hockey team started 2005 with a fifth consecutive Wells Fargo Denver Cup tournament championship at Magness Arena Jan. 2.
The Pioneers won the tournament by defeating the Air Force Academy 9-4, followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over Northeastern in the championship match.
After coming off New Year's weekend, where the team combined to score 13 goals, its offense came to a sudden standstill and Michigan Tech's goaltender Cam Ellsworth put forth quite a performance.
"We were outplayed in every aspect of the game and we flat came out and layed an egg tonight," senior defenseman Matt Laatsch said of Friday's defeat.
The Pioneers did not show much effort and it led to two second period goals for the Huskies and then later a third period netter to put the game away.
"I am not upset when we lose. The thing I am most disappointed in is our effort," said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.
After the loss on Friday, Denver followed it up with a much better performance on Saturday and came away with a win.
"Michigan Tech is a very good team, but tonight we came out and got the win and didn't want to lose two games in a row," stated freshman goaltender Peter Mannino, who got his second straight shutout Saturday night.
The Pioneers received a first period and career goal from freshman Andrew Thomas, which ended up being the game winner.
Denver will now have its final bye week of the season and next play Jan. 20 and 21st at St. Cloud State.
For the fifth time this season the Pioneers lost on Friday and followed it up with a win on Saturday. The loss snapped the nine-game unbeaten streak the team had going.
The shutout by the Huskies on Friday was their first over Denver since 1979.
"This series was a very valuable reminder of how hard you have to play in the WCHA, and how you can't take anything for granted," remarked Gwozdecky.
The hockey team started 2005 with a fifth consecutive Wells Fargo Denver Cup tournament championship at Magness Arena Jan. 2.
The Pioneers won the tournament by defeating the Air Force Academy 9-4, followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over Northeastern in the championship match.